Kevin Masterson new CTO for Petsitting.com (part of the FamilyPet.com Network). 

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/7/prweb8668050.htm

Press Release:
http://blog.petsitting.com/2010/10/petsitting-com-announces-partnership-with-business-insurers/

Being a pet owner for many years, I have learned the ins and outs of caring for my beloved friend.  With that said, there are always areas where I find myself stumped and need some help with basic pet care issues.  This happened just the other week.  I was getting ready to go on vacation and found out that the hotel which I thought I was going to be staying at didn’t allow pets.  This would have been fine had I not been bringing my cat along with me.  At this point, all plans changed. 

At the last minute I found myself searching for another hotel alternative, one which was pet-friendly.  My help came in the form of the Internet.  By searching online reviews of different pet-friendly hotels in the area, I was able to easily cancel my current reservation at the pet-not-so-friendly establishment and book a room at the resort where my friendly feline would also be welcome.

This incident taught me a few lessons which I will be certain to retain for future travel plans.  First, always check with the hotel to see if pets are allowed.  Secondly, use the Internet to get the inside track on pet-friendly lodging in the city/town where the vacation will take place.  Lastly, always assume that a hotel will not allow pets and this way you won’t be surprised if you get to your vacation destination and there is a “No Pets Allowed” sign on the door.

I don’t always travel with my pet.   Sometimes I leave my cat at a pet boarding establishment in town or have a pet sitter come to my house to care for my furry best friend.  However, when the desire and/or need arises where I have to bring my cat with me on vacation or business travel, I will be certain to remember this incident and plan accordingly.

- Kristen K

If you don’t want pets in your apartment building or in the elevator with you, don’t move into a PET-FRIENDLY building.  Pet-friendly means that pets are allowed in the building, in the elevator and in the lobby.  Pet owners take on the responsibility of finding an apartment building that is pet-friendly.  If you are pet-UNfriendly and don’t want pets anywhere near you, do yourself and everyone else a favor by moving into a building that does not allow pets.  There are plenty of them!  Can you tell that I am bothered?  There are a couple of residents in my building who stare at me with a look of complete disgust when I walk in the lobby or into the elevator with my dog.  He doesn’t jump, smell, make noise or even come close to touching anyone.  But I get a look like I am doing something absolutely wrong.  Of course, there are elevator courtesy “rules” that apply with pets the same way they apply with people.  If it’s crowded, I pick him up or take the service elevator, and if it’s a very big dog, it may be wise to always take the service elevator.  However, I feel strongly that I should not be made to feel uncomfortable by having my pet in a pet-friendly building.  The bottom line is that the people who have a problem with pets in my building moved into the wrong building!  Every time I get one of the looks I have the urge to say something, but I have yet to build up the courage to engage in confrontation.  The elevator rides are just too short.  So if any of you pet-unfriendly people out there are reading this, and you happen to live in a pet-friendly building, stop giving the looks… or maybe think about moving out…because I and my pet and all of the other pets in the building are here to stay.

-Hali Katz

I’m due in September with our first child and I know that having a child will be like nothing I have ever experienced before. I know that one can never be fully prepared for the changes that happen in your life after having a baby.  However, although I get laughed at when I say this sometimes, I do believe that owning a dog has prepared me for having a baby in a lot of ways, and I am hopeful that it has been somewhat of a stepping stone toward raising my first baby.  Let’s start with the basics.  We can never go away without first figuring out who will watch the dog and making sure that he will be well-cared for.  Not to mention that the grandparents are usually our first choice for this.  We need to make sure he is fed on schedule and that his eating patterns remain normal.  We clean up after him when he goes to the bathroom. And of course, we take him to the doctor when he doesn’t feel well.  At a higher level, owning a pet trains you to be selfless in a way that you have to be when you have a baby.  We wake up early to walk him.  We adjust our schedule often to minimize his anxiety.  We make sure financially that we can take care of all of his needs.  And most importantly, we do everything for him that he can’t do on his own and make his happiness a high priority.  He is a dog, but he is certainly our baby in a lot of ways.  He has taught us so much about taking care of another living thing and has been the ultimate example of providing unconditional love.  I have no doubt that the experience of taking care of my dog has prepared me (even if only a little bit) for life as a parent.

- Hali Katz

Pets, like people, feel the extreme weather yet are more susceptible to the elements than we are. This is why keeping pets safe during the hot and cold months is a serious matter. Since the warm weather is approaching in the near future, it is a good idea to highlight some tips for keeping your pets and the pets which you care for safe in the warmer temperatures. Here are some easy ways to keep our beloved animals safe and content:

Maintain constant average temperatures within your home or business: Although most would agree that using an air conditioner and/or fan during the summertime is a good way to keep animals comfortable, it is important not to overdo it. Make sure that the air is not too cold but at a temperature which will keep them cool and comfortable.
• Provide the pets with plenty of fresh water throughout the day: Staying hydrated is an easy way for pets to stay cool. Make sure that there is fresh, cool water available to your pets and those you are looking after throughout the day and provide them with as much opportunity to have a drink as possible.
• Give the pets time to rest and do not overexert them through too much exercise: It is important to provide pets with adequate exercise but during the summer months caution should be taken to not let them run around too much outdoors. Continual, short walks will allow the dogs time to get outside, do their business and get exercise without overexerting them.
• Keep pets inside on extremely hot days: When days are extremely hot it is important to keep the animals inside as much as possible. Although dogs will need to go outside to use the bathroom, make sure that they get to come back in when they are done and stay in a cooler climate.

Following these easy tips will make for a comfortable summer setting for the dogs, cats and other pets within your care.   Happy summer!